If you haven’t ever scoured the state for a natural hot spring—and by scour I’m talking about using every lunch break browsing Google Maps, perfecting every last item in your gear bag, and spending every iota of spare time bliss out of range on a dirt road in search of hot water—then BRACE YOURSELF. This hobby is about to get under your skin in the tastiest of ways, changing the way all your weekends operate from this moment forward. If you’re new to the schtick, the culture you’re about to find yourself immersed in is unlike any other. You’re going to meet some of the coolest damned people around. Plus, you’re going to be knee-deep in places you only thought existed on Instagram. It’s an entire subculture that begs to be explored; you’ve just gotta know how to do a thing or two before you can ease in with both feet. Lucky for you, we’re going to make it pretty dang easy on ya.

1. GET ON BOARD WITH THE THRILL OF THE HUNT

Finding hot springs takes work. A LOT of work. To the untrained eye, it might seem like an endless sea of sagebrush and rolling basin and ranges. NEWSFLASH: there are tons of hot springs out there—in fact, Nevada has the most hot springs in the United States—begging to be basked in during Golden Hour. Like all other recreational feats in the Silver State, you’re going to have to work for it a bit. But doesn’t that make it so much more satisfying, once you’ve attained it? It’s like this magical little gift once you’ve made it. Plus, I’ll be frank here: working for it a bit harder means it’s probably going to weed out a bunch of people who are too lazy to really get after it. Spend the time researching hot spots, carefully select your crew, bring the right gear and hit the trail. The hunt is real, and the thrill of tracking down the springs will be gratifying in ways I can’t even describe. Put in the time, friends, and get out there to take what’s already yours.

2. . PLOT OUT THE GEAR YOU NEED TO GET THIS THING DONE, AND COME TO GRIPS WITH THE FACT THAT SOMETIMES IT JUST DOESN’T ALWAYS WORK OUT

I’ve gotta get this info in front of you before you get in too deep: not every mission will be a good one. I wish it weren’t so, but I think this truth is something that every outdoorsman can feel me on. You may be bagging one of Nevada’s tallest peaks and the rain pushes you into a compromising situation in the canyon, or you might be after a Lahontan Cutthroat and Pyramid gets too stormy and you’ve gotta back out. The same goes with chasing hot springs, and should be perceived as any other outdoor adventure gig. The good news? It’s easy. All you’ve gotta do is travel prepared with all the right gear and think smart! Most of these hot springs are wayyyy deep in Nevada’s backcountry, on roads that are the exact opposite of well-maintained. Bring a spare [sometimes two], extra water, a headlamp, towels, attire you can get seriously dirty in, gear to stay warm and of course an unwavering sense of adventure. Some days you’ll hit the freaking jackpot, and others you’ll spend the entire day chasing what turns out to be a cold or unsoakable spring… or blow a few tires. There are definitely more good days than bad for the hot spring-crazed, but just keep that perception in check and it will ultimately prevent a few grown-up temper tantrums.

3. GOOGLE MAPS AIN’T GONNA CUT IT

In rural Nevada, Google Maps is just about as handy as a full-on scuba setup on the playa. Totally bogus. Unless you want to spend a frustrating afternoon screenshotting as you weave in and out of service, this just isn’t going to work. Spring for a map, or even better, a super detailed state atlas and get down to some good old fashioned map navigating. Trust me, powering down your phone will have a way of freeing you unlike ever before. Those off-grid days are what I live for. Throw a hot spring [or seven] in the mix and you’re really knocking it over the fence.

TravelNevada PRO TIP: I’ve demoed a slew of maps and gazeteers, but when you’re ready to get wild in rural Nevada, Benchmark is where it’s at. Plus, aside from being the only one in your millennial friend circle who knows how to read a map, real maps blatantly mark the locations of a handful of coveted, “secret” hot springs that we—as stewards in this community—just aren’t going to ever tell you about. Get one here.

4. SPORT THE RIGHT SHOES AND PACK AN EXTRA SUIT OR TWO

Let’s face it. If searching for a hot pool in the middle of a desert is appealing to you, I think it’s probably safe to say that you’re ready to get messy. Good! You’re more than likely going to. Most Nevada hot springs are surrounded by a muddy alkali sort of surface that you won’t be able to drive on. When hunting down a spring, parking a few hundred feet away is more than likely, due to weather conditions. (Plus, etiquette-wise, it’s simply not cool to park right on top of the spring anyway.) It’s a good idea to bring some shoes that you can get messy in, and I mean really messy. Think sinking up to your ankles in mud that’s the consistency of peanut butter quicksand, then grab the right shoes. Most typically, some kind of high, waterproof boot does the trick just fine. Along with the right shoes, it’s a foolproof trick to bring multiple swimsuits… because who wants to spring hop with a wet suit? That, or who wants to change out of a swimsuit, only to put a cold, wet one back on in the dead of winter? No thanks. Trust me on this one, the right garb can help steer your springing excursion from just good to one you can’t forget.

TravelNevada PRO TIP: Boots are a solid choice when traversing to the spring, but some kind of strapped sandal (Tevas, Chacos, etc.) that you can actually wear into the spring will prove to be a good decision, too. You’d hope that people aren’t dumb enough to throw sharp objects into the pool, but you never know. Wearing a sandal like this in the spring will keep those tootsies safe and make it easy to get around if you come up on a rocky bottom to boot.

5. LIVE BY THE HOT SPRINGING BUDDY SYSTEM… BECAUSE ADVENTURES ARE ALWAYS MORE FUN WHEN YOU’VE GOT A CREW

This one is pretty plain and simple, guys. Nevada is a gargantuan state, and most of the places you’re going to be getting into are indescribably remote. Like, think of a tow truck having to come 6 hours to get you… if you can even call out to one. It’s a smart idea to let a friend know what section of the state you’re heading to for the weekend, and it’s always a good idea to bring friends along with you. Sure, call it a safety measure, but it’s just downright more dang fun to rip down a dirt road with the windows down and music up with your best buds, in hot pursuit of a spring.

6. PUBLIC LAND IS PUBLIC LAND, BUT DON’T BE A SPRING HOG. LET EVERYONE HAVE THEIR DANG TURN

With over 70,000 acres of land to do just about whatever you want on, Nevada is the lucky recipient of the most public lands in the entire continental U.S, and a handful of natural hot springs are found on them. Here’s the deal. They’re PUBLIC, meaning they belong to everyone. No one can stake them out as their own, no matter the situation. Luckily, many of these have a handful of sources and soaking pools, affording plenty of room to spread out for everyone. But if there isn’t, remember to let everyone get their moment of paradise in, too. You’ve gotta remember that other peeps, like you, probably drove several hours to get in a good soak, so be sure to let ‘em. Of course, it’s easy to be friendly; if they made that same wild haul for the same reason, they’re probably pretty cool, anyway.

7. WHEN IT COMES TO GATES (AND PRIVATE PROPERTY IN GENERAL), LEAVE IT HOW YOU FOUND IT

Nevada’s public lands are made for taking what’s yours, but I’ve gotta remind you that a small chunk of Nevada’s bevy of hot springs are, indeed, on private land. This means that you’re technically “trespassing,” so if you’re going to do it, pllllleeeasssseeee be respectful! Most Nevada ranchers out there who know they’ve got a zen zone on their property are down to let people enjoy it, so long as they don’t trash it. ‘Tis true, several source tubs have been shot up so they won’t hold water, or have been dozed by the ranchers in retaliation to those who don’t respect it—a consequence that affects our whole community. Obviously, this is true about garbage [see #15]. But the biggie here is the situation with the gates. Sure, a rancher is not going to be very happy with a bunch of garbage strewn about, but if one of his cows gets out—or worse—falls into a source and drowns, it’s just not cool. General rule of thumb? Leave it how you found it. If the gate is open, leave it open. If you found it closed, make sure you close it behind you, even just through the duration of your soak. The fact that they’re letting you on to their land is pretty cool, so be sure to treat it as your own.

8. BOAST THE BADGE OF A HOT SPRINGS STEWARD

That whole thing about leaving it better than you found it? Most people in the hot springing community live and die by that school of thought. Of course, I suppose there are exceptions to every case. Don’t be surprised if, once in a blue moon, you roll up on a spring that’s completely thrashed. Whether that happened as a result of a few too many libations and poor decision making, or Mother Nature got her hooks on it, you’re bound to come across it at some point. And when you do, spring into action like the badass hot springs stewards I know you are. Remember that hot springs gear kit I was mentioning earlier? This is yet another reason to have it totally dialed in—the right shoes, light source and tools can help you get a spring back on track to a soakable state once more. The shot pictured above was a result of a nearby creek flooding, which taco-ed the tub in half and tossed it about 10 feet away on a bank. Despite the fact that there was so little water in it [a situation that seems like you could just tip it up to drain it], it was incomprehensibly heavy. Three grown men couldn’t lift this dang thing. In order to get it back in the right spot under the source tube, we grabbed our headlamps and knee-high waterproof boots, rolled up our sleeves and used our only available resource [dog bowls!] to scoop enough water out to move the tub back into position. And perfectly on cue, a bunch of other hot springers showed up and did the exact same thing, making this rescue mission a collaborative effort. About two hours later the tub was a slice of paradise again, because everyone there left it better than they found it, doing small measures to make it enjoyable, not just for our own use, but also for future soakers. Most springs on private land are looked after by the community, and if you’re getting in the spring, you’re lumped into that community. Do your best to contribute—something i promise to be crazy rewarding to say the very least.

9. USE THAT NOGGIN OF YOURS BEFORE TAKING THE PLUNGE

You see a totally perfect crystal-clear body of hot spring heaven and it’s calling you in all the most seductive ways. JUMP IN, they whisper. I know I’ve totally been there, more times than i can count, but when it comes to hot springs, it’s a bit of a game changer. Many Nevada hot springs have the foolproof cattle trough, or bathtub with water irrigated into it…a ringing indicator many soakers have enjoyed the spring. But, sources are known to change sporadically just as often as any other environmental factor would. You might come up on a spring that’s lukewarm, and 6 months later it will be way to hot to get into, or vice versa. This is particularly true with natural bottom hot springs [think Trego or Soldier Meadows] and it's always, ALWAYS crucial to check the temp before taking a dip. There’s clearly tons of geothermal activity bubbling about and, as we know, heat rises, so the temperature on the surface can be misleading. That, and be sure to keep close tabs on your pups, as we all know how much dogs love jumping into bodies of water!

TravelNevada PRO TIP: A mega-handy item to stow in your gear pack is a temperature gun. They’re cheap, and a good way to measure the temp if you don’t want to compromise your own limb. They’re cheap and don’t take up a ton of space. Plus, there are tons of springs in Nevada that are just too hot to get into, but you’ll find yourself wondering what the temp is. Boom. Problem solved. You can snag the one pictured above here.

10. WHAT DRESS CODE?

When it comes to unwinding at a hot spring in middle of nowhere Nevada, be willing to let that freak flag fly. No, but seriously. When it comes to dress code at a hot spring, the proper etiquette here is no etiquette. It’s totally the norm to come up on a spring and find everyone in the nude, so just be prepared to roll with it. Come to think of it, I’d say that’s more common than not. People who are there before you earn the right to set precedent and overall vibe, and the same goes if you’re the first in. That being said, if you show up and people are nude and you don’t want to be, no one will ever force you to strip down, but definitely don’t expect everyone else to put clothes on. And, if you show up and other people are in suits but you have your heart set on rocking that birthday suit, ask if everyone is ok with it. A good rule of thumb is to bring a suit, just in case. I will say that getting nakie in a hot spring is basically a Nevada rite of passage. Deep down, you know you want to do it, so just go for it. Could circumstances be any more glorious?

TravelNevada PRO TIP: If you show up and there are people sans skivvies, do everyone there a favor and leave your dang smartphone or any other photo-taking device in the car. Unless someone specifically instigates it, or says it's ok, you've gotta just let it be. There will be other moments worthy of capture, that much I promise you.

11. FEEL OUT THE VIBE

Just as you’ll hone in on the clothing-optional scene, take note of the overall vibe at the spring, too. This one, however, is a total grab bag. You might come up on a total and complete rager of a party with dozens of people, but you could just as easily find a family or a few people trying to relax and enjoy the quiet. Obey the vibe! Either way, you get a solid soak out of the deal, and the other people probably wont be there forever, so you can do what you want after they hit the trail. But, as long as there are other people on site, remember yo’ manners.

12. TOWELS ARE FOR AMATEURS

The only reason you might need a towel? For keeping the floorboards of your whip clean when you drag your muddy feet in there. The serious hot enthusiast ups their game with yet another crucial gear bag item: A ROBE. You might think I’m nuts when I lay this out, but the minute you depart a tasty spring at 2 AM in 16 degree weather, you’ll be saying a prayer to Sydney Martinez. Snagging a standard, no-frills robe at Target is totally the way to go. If you can find a hooded robe, then you’re really in biz. If you’re already in the robe game, up your hot spring gear bag by getting your hands on a Rumpl [what’s pictured in the shot and something every hot springing enthusiast should get their hands on] or go for it and order this amazing little robe-meets-sleeping-bag-meets-blanket sort of a situation. Any way you cut it, the only place for a towel is the bathroom or at the pool. Be serious here; this ain’t no game.

13. ...AND SO ARE GLASS BOTTLES

Imagine rooting for the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Yeah, that’s exactly the sort of torment you’ll be facing if you show up to a hot spring with glass in tow. It ain’t gonna fly. Hear me when I say this: a highly anticipated soak will be instantly wrecked if you roll up to a source to find shards of glass at the dang bottom, totally preventing you from getting in. Picture driving for hours on end and finding this circumstance… not cool. So don’t do it! Dump your libations into a Nalgene, opt for cans [you can find amazing stuff in ‘em these days], or get serious with this ‘sport’ and add a double-insulated cup to your gear kit. Sure, a foolproof Red Solo works, but having something that’s part of your pack will be so much more satisfying in all the best ways, and you don’t have to deal with picking up a bunch of trash after your springing experience comes to an end. That, and you’ll be the envy of everyone in sight. You’ve successfully stalked down a spring, know how to read a real map, are sporting a Rumpl annnnnnd and you’ve got a fancy schmancy cup? Get out. Now you’ve totally gone pro.

14. CAMPING DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE SPRING IS POOR FORM

The thing about hot springs on public land is the fact that they’re public. I get it – believe me, I do. You show up to a spring you’ve searched all day to find, the sunset is popping, no one is there, the tub is gloriously overflowing in all the most inviting ways and the entire sexy scenario has seduced you in all the right ways. But it’s PUBLIC! Whomp, whomp. Considering you’ve got to work a bit to reach all Nevada hot springs, overcrowding isn’t your main concern here. But, who's to say someone might not show up in the middle of the night, only to find you rudely staked out right on top of the spring. This one, friends, is a no go. If you’re the only person there, you might be the only person there for that chunk of hours, and you’ve gotta share the dang place. I know you’re excited to stake your claim, but back off just a smidge. Good form is staking your setup at least 50-75 feet away from the source… 100 if you want to ace this thing. As for private property? Camping altogether is probably frowned upon unless there’s a sign indicating that you can. As for campfires? Heed Smokey’s guidance and make sure that thing is out. And when I say out, I mean OUT – no smoldering fires before you hit the road.

15. PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT… AND YES, THAT MIGHT INCLUDE OTHER PEOPLE’S CRAP

Another nugget to keep in that handy-dandy gear pack I’ve been raving about is a box of trash bags. ep, I said it. As much as I knooooow you don’t want to pick up other people’s leaky, disgusting garbage, you’re at the spring and the fact of the matter is this: now you’re involved. Lead by example, always, but get down with that hot spring ambassador-ish, kick-ass steward-ness I know exists in your heart of hearts and make sure to leave the place in tip-top shape. The Leave No Trace [or Leave As Little of a Trace As Possible], is such an important thread, no matter what sort of activity you’re after, but particularly hot springs. THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SEPARATES NEVADA FROM OTHER HOT SPRING LOCATIONS. Our hot springs are mostly well-maintained, lesser-known and uncrowded, and clean. I get it, you’re there to relax and the last thing you want to do in your free time is pick up a bunch of garbage, especially at a hot spring paradise, but I’ve got to stress: be sure to pick up after yourself and others. Often times you’ll find yourself in a serious party scene at a spring, where everyone takes turns filling a garbage bag, making sure to stay on top of it. But even if you’re the only one there, you, sadly, might find trash strewn about. Pack it in/pack it out, people. When you show up to a pristine spring on some random occasion 10 years from now, you’ll be thanking me and all the other peeps like you who did their part to keep it nice.

16. POST THE SHOT AND INSTIGATE SOME INSTAGRAM F.O.M.O.! BUT PLEASE, NO GEOTAGGING

You’ve earned your stripes in back road exploration, rocked some pro-status gear and made the feat look like childsplay, and done your part in maintaining these euphoric getaways. We knowwww you snapped a pic… or a hundred. This my friends, constitutes a kickass Nevada adventure and is something you should be proud of. By all means, POST THE SHOT! You’ve earned it. But, don’t make the ultimate faux pas by calling out where the dang thing is. Around here, we take sacred spaces seriously and, for all you know, this isthat spot for someone. Working all day to find a place that’s lesser known is like a gift. Be sure to respect the culture and keep the momentum rolling and treat it like one.The notion that Nevada hot springs are pristine and relatively secretive is out of the ordinary to say the very least… so let’s keep ‘em that way.